The Great Lakes 360 living museum is now open in Niagara Falls. It is located inside the former Gorge Discovery Center at Niagara Falls State Park, steps away from the Aquarium of Niagara.
There are 16 interactive exhibits featuring turtles, amphibians, insects and many species of fish, representing the diverse ecosystems of the Great Lakes.
“The new Great Lakes 360 space provides a new and unique opportunity for kids and families in Western New York to put down their phones this summer, go outside, and take advantage of the exhibits and panoramic views of the beautiful Niagara River Gorge,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By expanding the Aquarium’s footprint with this targeted investment, we are helping forge a brighter future for Niagara Falls by drawing in new visitors, boosting the pride of residents, stimulating the economy, and attracting new development to the city’s downtown.”
The completed project has increased the number of living exhibits at the aquarium by 40%. There are nine new full-time equivalent positions added to the aquarium staff for Great Lakes 360.
“This is a significant moment for the Aquarium of Niagara as we celebrate the first expansion in our nearly 60-year history, and we are thrilled to showcase these important local ecosystems as we increase our footprint in the community," Aquarium of Niagara President and CEO Chad Fifer said. "We are committed to growing our presence as both a destination and a quality-of life resource for our neighbors, where guests can make authentic connections with animals, learn through hands-on experiences that both surprise and delight, and discover how to become positive agents of change for our planet. We thank our funders, community partners, and neighbors for their generous support in helping bring this vision to life.”
The Great Lakes 360 museum also includes a multipurpose theater space, a gift shop and a rooftop area with views of the gorge.